There is a surge in internet usage across the globe, which results in massive data generation, driving the growth of data centers. Data centers operate 24*7 and consume a substantial amount of energy for lighting, cooling, and IT equipment. There is a sudden need to curb this energy consumption which has also multiplied with the data centers. Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) addresses this problem with the use of software and applications.
Data centers comprise of multiple physical and virtual network –based devices. These devices are interconnected and need dedicated applications to ensure their smooth functioning, and are aimed at eliminating human error, driving the growth for DCIM. The decision of any organization or business to invest in DCIM is also fueled by the ability of these solutions to provide huge cost-savings by reducing downtime and ensuring that all resources are effectively utilized.
The global Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) market spending is anticipated to cross USD 3 billion in 2024. The U.S. is one of the first nations to adopt, and one of the fastest growing markets for DCIM and the spending on DCIM in the United States is expected to reach USD 4 million by 2024.
Factors driving the growth of DCIM in the United States
Geographically, North America with a focus on the United States is the leading region in terms of spending in DCIM segment and is also expected to emerge as the fastest growing regional division by the end of the forecast period. Let me briefly cover some factors aiding the growth of the DCIM market in the United States.
- Cyber-Security
Cyber-attacks and security breaches are rising in data centers, so much so that the average cost of data center attacks in the U.S. was estimated to be over USD 4 million. With DCIM adoption these instances can be curbed with the installation of security management solutions.
- Federal Law
The Office of Management and Budget now requires all federal data centers to install DCIM and to achieve a PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) of 1.5 or lower. This has prompted the switch towards implementing DCIM and power monitoring.
- Green Data Centers
Data center power consumption is increasing multifold, and DCIM curbs this issue by tracking consumption, mitigating carbon footprint and recognizing locations of higher usage and power leakages.
The U.S. markets are especially highly focused on reducing organization’s carbon and particulate matter emissions, by adopting technologies like Green data centers and opting for more effective cooling solutions, also contributing towards the growth of DCIM market.
- Cost-saving
DCIM aids in reducing overhead management costs, decreasing energy wastage, and providing a high Return On Investment (ROI) over its lifespan by reducing the time to identify faults. This prompts the organizations to invest heavily in DCIM technologies, which ensures substantial cost saving and a competitive advantage.
- Rise of Outsourcing
The North American region, especially the U.S. has started increasingly depending on outsourcing its storage and maintenance needs. Organizations attain high-cost savings by outsourcing management solutions to third-parties that have an in-depth knowledge of data center working and equipment rather than appointing a dedicated in-house team.
DCIM also takes care of the consultation requirements of the organizations, with the rising affinity for installing data centers. Organizations are not always completely informed about space and energy requirements, which are now being realized via a service provider.
DCIM market is growing at a higher speed in the Northern American region as a whole due to the availability of expertise and awareness in the region. There is also a realization, in the U.S. of a futuristic approach with DCIM that it pays for itself over the years, as software solutions and services of DCIM help in managing the facility infrastructure and are designed to accommodate future changes in the data center infrastructure.
Not just the U.S., with the sudden multiplication of data centers, other nations have also started warming up to DCIM services. Governments all around the world have now started paying more attention to the alarming rise in carbon emission and are promulgating laws to steer organizations to build and use Green data centers.
By making green data centers feasible, bringing down the working-cost of a data center, addressing the data security concern, and reducing the power consumption DCIM has made a place for itself in the data center industry.
